The Music of Leo Brouwer

[William2]

I've been aware of the music of guitarist/composer Leo Brouwer since the 70s when I was studying classical guitar. I just didn't really consider this music as I was working on other bigger things, and I thought that much of it sounded too guitaristic. In fact, I only have one Brouwer piece in my repertoire, Un Dia de Noviembre. Totally out of character of the Bouwer pieces I knew of and very beautiful. Flash forward to this century LOL. Some months ago, Lindsay Straw recorded 6 of the Brouwer Simple Etudes. I gained a new appreciation for these Etudes. She convinced me to give them a try, so I bought the Etudes. I looked them over and put the book away. Going through my bookshelf today, I came across them again. Playing a few of them, I am really taken by these little pieces. I love the brevity of the pieces, that they work on a technical issue, and make the acoustic guitar sound so well. The pieces are given a good verbal description of things to do to make the most of the pieces. I think the success of many of these pieces is paying attention to phrasing and dynamics. Anyway, here is a link to M. Straw playing Etudes 3 - 6. I love miniatures and 3 pieces in 3 minutes LOL. These would work great in a guitar demo. I was considering getting a nylon string instrument, but this Lindsay Straw demo has convinced that classical piece's sound just as good on an acoustic instrument. If you are a fingerstyle player, you might want to give them a try. And I included the one I play showing a different character of Brouwer.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiuyv7TlNu4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkdYKgBUx9w

[mike in lytle]

I've been aware of the music of guitarist/composer Leo Brouwer since the 70s when I was studying classical guitar. I just didn't really consider this music as I was working on other bigger things, and I thought that much of it sounded too guitaristic. In fact, I only have one Brouwer piece in my repertoire, Un Dia de Noviembre. Totally out of character of the Bouwer pieces I knew of and very beautiful. Flash forward to this century LOL. Some months ago, Lindsay Straw recorded 6 of the Brouwer Simple Etudes. I gained a new appreciation for these Etudes. She convinced me to give them a try, so I bought the Etudes. I looked them over and put the book away. Going through my bookshelf today, I came across them again. Playing a few of them, I am really taken by these little pieces. I love the brevity of the pieces, that they work on a technical issue, and make the acoustic guitar sound so well. The pieces are given a good verbal description of things to do to make the most of the pieces. I think the success of many of these pieces is paying attention to phrasing and dynamics. Anyway, here is a link to M. Straw playing Etudes 3 - 6. I love miniatures and 3 pieces in 3 minutes LOL. These would work great in a guitar demo. I was considering getting a nylon string instrument, but this Lindsay Straw demo has convinced that classical piece's sound just as good on an acoustic instrument. If you are a fingerstyle player, you might want to give them a try. And I included the one I play showing a different character of Brouwer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiuyv7TlNu4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkdYKgBUx9w

A few days ago, you posted a video by Lindsay, which I watched, and then went on to watch a bunch of others, including the Etudes 1-3. I thought they were very cool. Then I watched some Leo Brouwer, and some it it seemed so "non-classical" to me, and I really enjoyed it. I can see why steel stringers would play Leo.
Anyhow, it was very educational, so thanks for bringing it up.
Mike

[William2]

A few days ago, you posted a video by Lindsay, which I watched, and then went on to watch a bunch of others, including the Etudes 1-3. I thought they were very cool. Then I watched some Leo Brouwer, and some it it seemed so "non-classical" to me, and I really enjoyed it. I can see why steel stringers would play Leo.
Anyhow, it was very educational, so thanks for bringing it up.
Mike

I'm glad you liked the Brouwer pieces. Mike I've added #4 & #6 to my warmup exercises. I really like Lindasy's dynamics of the melody in the bass on #4. Speaking of Lindsay, she just posted a new video of a traditional Irish tune. I really like this music. My recent interest in the arrangements of John Renbourn was halted a bit by his use of alternate tunings. The publications don't say what is in alternate tunings or how much is in alternate tunings. For instance, this piece is in alternate tuning DADGBD. I don't see anything in this performance necessitating lowering the first string to D except maybe the occasional harmonics that may require it. I have this piece arranged by Pat Kirtley in the same key, but he uses DADGAD. WHY? It is easily playable in standard tuning. Oh well, I may get this book. I like the fuller chords of the Renbourn arrangement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnA8e_LDsFs

[Queequeg]

I have this piece arranged by Pat Kirtley in the same key, but he uses DADGAD. WHY? It is easily playable in standard tuning. Oh well, I may get this book. I like the fuller chords of the Renbourn arrangement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnA8e_LDsFs

One reason to play in DADGAD (or other open/altered tunings) is for the additional sustain it affords.
The unfretted open strings will ring out louder and longer.
It is not always simply a matter of which is easier. But sometimes I suppose it is.

[fantex]

Wow, thanks for the Lindsay Straw recommendation. Just the type of fingerpicking I'm looking for.